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This was the third time I’ve hiked Tweto, Mosquito, and Treasurevault. The first time was in 2009 on Thanksgiving Day.
The second time I hiked them (10/9/11) I intended to repeat Tweto, and then collect Arkansas. On that trip with Anna, as I was hiking up the S slopes of Tweto I wasn’t feeling very strong and when I looked at Arkansas from the summit, I wasn’t super excited about an out-and-back. Therefore we did the loop of the 3 aforementioned peaks.

This time I meant business! Tweto & Arkansas were a for sure thing; the other peaks were only a possibility I mentioned that came to fruition. And I’m glad they did, because it was a great day out, with a wonderful finish on “Repeater” while watching the sun set! Sweet.

Steve and I met up with Barry & Greg in Fairplay, and from there we drove to the TH in separate vehicles. Steve was able to drive his Subaru Forester all the way up CR 12 where it turns left to head up towards Mosquito Pass, an elevation of ~11,500’, which can make for an easy day with a starting elevation like that!

Let’s Get This Show Started!

Single digit temps at the start, snowshoes on the feet, and we were on the trail by 8am-ish.

I’m Bad. I’m Nationwide.

The Crue

On the approach

There’s not a lot of snow in this valley, but snowshoes were helpful especially in the willowy areas.

Steve and Greg taking a break below Tweto’s S face (on the right)

Hiking up talus on Tweto’s southern slopes

Terrain for later

First Summit: Mt. Tweto

Steve & Barry working their way up Tweto’s SW ridge

Shouldn't you be lounging?

What’s in a Name

What’s Next?

But first…

Ok, let’s go!

Steve

Mount Buckskin (13,865’) and Tweto (l. to r.)

To be a Democrat

The Team in Tow in the Snow

Summit is getting closer?

Now the summit is closer

Mount Arkansas’ Summit Views

Mr. Tragesser

Mr. Rock n’ Roll
Give the man some mo’ cowbell!

Now let’s go back to Tweto!!

We retraced our steps for the most part back to Tweto’s summit. From the summit, we descended the SW ridge to our snowshoe cache, and from there, Barry decided to go down to the truck as the rest of us went on to the other summits.

Now, repeat after me….

First stop, Treasurevault Mtn

There was no Treasure in the Vault, only a summit cairn

Mosquito Peak is next, but first...

Yes, that’s right. The Paperson’s Hotdog Stand!
But it appears to be closed for the season.

Looking back on where we came from

From the summit of Mosquito, there’s only one more left
“Repeater” would be our last summit, and its E ridge (seen in the above photo, running looker’s left) was our intended route down to regain the Mosquito Pass road.

Last uphill stretch

While the sun is getting lower

And the sun sets over the Sawatch

Twilight Fans? ;)

Baker

More twilight on Mosquito

Sun is down, now for us to get down. We went to the radio towers and started our descent on the E side of the building. The ridge goes, but at one point we did have to cross over to our right on a snow filled, shallow gully to avoid too steep of terrain to descend.

At times, it was slow going because of deep snow filled pockets in the rocks that would suck in a leg or two, and extraction was necessary. ;)

Once off the ridge, we were on the road and the going got better. Somewhere near the N London Mine, at least I think it was that mine, we stopped to put on our snowshoes and headlamps for the remainder of our walk out.

Barry greeted us back at the truck, sometime around 6pm.
Ahh…great day gentleman!

Pretty cool having your name in there twice so close. Surprising those peaks don't have more visitors. But, I guess it's just a 13er....which kicked my butt! Great to get out with you again Darin and great to meet you Steve and Mr. Lounger.... I went extra slow so you'd have more time up there.

Awesome report, Darin. I like the captions and your crue. From the photos, it looks like you had pretty stellar conditions. That is a big loop for December. We were pretty spent doing just Arkansas and Tweto so definite props are in order.

re: Photo 12

That is a pretty slick jacket summit lounger is wearing. I may have to swipe it the next time I am at his house. I might take those sunglasses too.

I've always loved how the sliver of pink crawls across the horizon and then tilts upward as darkness slips beneath it like an incoming tide washing over the landscape. It is an incredible process to witness from a high summit.

Fantastic photos all-around, but especially the sunset shots. And the narrative tells the whole story with a smile and a laugh. Nice, Darin.

That climb was some strong and sublime work, gentlemen. The vicarious living was sweet. Well done.

Is like an ad for this site. I can't see above Triple M, but that's at least 11 of us in a row! We were up there in September, making quite a gap before the next signing group...
Nice chronicling of a day that speaks volumes to those (even me) who don't repeat many peaks and don't hike much in the snow.

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